SUCKA MC FREE Presents:
The REBUTTALS Vol. 1
RIDING NAME: DAVE AKA O.D.
CLUB: TRIPLE XXX RIDERS MC, STRONG (LONG) ISLAND, NY
You're Not a Biker, You Just Crush A Lot
While I may agree with some of the comments that the staff of Sucka MC Free made and/or the questions that were posed the one thing that stood out to me in this particular blog was “being a biker has very little in fact to do with owning a motorcycle”. If you don't have a bike but you live the biker lifestyle/mindset, why wouldn't you be considered a motorcycle enthusiast? One of the keys to being a biker would be having a bike and riding that bike. If I’m talking to you about my latest road trip or something I experienced on my bike, you may understand or have some idea but how could you really relate to something you haven’t experienced for yourself to some degree or another? Only another rider can relate to the the feeling of me and my bike against the world, the skill involved to be able to navigate through all that they may encounter on the road, and the sense of pride and accomplishment of having a bike. If it were easy everyone would do it.
On the sport bike side of things the term "Real Rider" is used while our cruising counterparts tend to use "biker" more. I've been called both and for some reason I get called crazy a lot also but we’re not going to talk about that right now. As with most things it's a matter of perception and upbringing and/or how they were introduced to the bike world. So if to gain the respect and admiration of your peers you go hard on the Southern State or local circuit of interconnecting road then that’s what you do. On the other side, if mileage and road trips are the determining factor then that’s what you would do on that side. People get caught up in being a “Real Rider” or “Biker” instead of just being the best "ME" they could be.
When you do things on the motorcycle scene for yourself you could care less what anybody says or tries to categories you as. Your actions will speak for themselves. My only issue is when people try to be something they’re not. If you’re not built for it, don’t go outside of your comfort zone for the mere sake of your peers accolades. Things happen on the road but don’t let it be due to the fact you were not in your lane and trying to impress someone else.
And on side note there were way too many Blue Oyster* references, LOL
The Irrelevant Black Biker: The Ghost Rider Series
And on side note there were way too many Blue Oyster* references, LOL
The Irrelevant Black Biker: The Ghost Rider Series
I came on the bike scene as naive as most but have a passion for riding and the lifestyle so I’ve learned a lot along the way. I suppose you could call it on the job training so to speak. In my circles there were no dominants to be seen just clubs that were around a little longer than some and those were the elders on the sport bike scene. We considered those cats young” elders and that’s where we modeled ourselves from. From my understanding when sport bike clubs were being formed in NY, the traditional bike scene didn’t want anything to do with us, so there was a definite lack of a knowledge/history transfer.
So as the saying goes ignorance is bliss, but that’s until you come into a situation where ignorance is not a valid excuse. That situation rarely happens when you stay in you comfort zone. Urban translation of “comfort zone” is in your hood, local set, circuit, or whatever else it may be called.
I tell people all the time there’s way more to being in a MC than just riding. First and foremost there is MC protocol the rules that govern the MC community, most have nothing to do with riding but will keep you from unknowingly disrespecting the next man or club. The show love to get love scenario, where if you want others to support you and your clubs functions or activities, you have to be an active supporter of others. While motorcycles may be the common denominator, there are so many other factors that separate us even more as to what we do in the MC community, i.e. parties, charities, riding (local or distance), racing (street or track). Some clubs or individual may have things they prefer to do while rocking their patch and after some time in the community you’re going to develop bonds with likeminded clubs and individuals and inevitably that’s who and what you will support.
On the other side of that coin if you want MC knowledge you can and will put the effort into finding out about MC history. Since I have some knowledge I can understand why some traditionalist and OMC’s feel the way they do about things. I’m pretty sure it’s the same way that those who marched for Civil Rights feel about some of the things going on in our local neighborhoods today. It’s not the vision they saw for the future. I don’t have a solution to make the MC world perfect but I have a very simple solution to a real simple problem. If you don’t like something then don’t support it.
Biker Racism: The Jim Crow MC Nation
Biker Racism: The Jim Crow MC Nation
Good read I have nothing really to add but like the point the Sucka MC Free staff brought out about how things were traditionally formed and the era it was formed in was at a time of segregation. I remember reading about how some black people were against bringing the races together cause when we were segregated, we had our own and supported our own and everyone knew their place. I grew up in the south where there were literally train tracks that separated the races and to this day they still have a black graveyard and a white one.
My biggest issue with racism is the hate that comes along with it. It’s natural to have pride in your race but why literally hate the next one to the point that you want to cause them harm? Another point was the taxation without representation. If support clubs are considered minor league in most respects and the OMC the majors, why play if you can never make it to the big leagues? My final point was the prices of Harleys compared to Jap bikes or Metrics, which is one of the biggest limiting factor why more black people don’t have them. It’s like the neighborhoods that keep the home prices higher so that other races can’t afford to move in and when the do move in, there is always some type of tension. Most people buy Harleys for the name, they make some nice bike but for 20,000 dollars and the X amount I have to spend on upkeep are they really worth it? By the way Harleys are American assembled not American made, LOL.
MC TITLE HOLDERS: The Good, The Bad, The Bullshit ...
This will not be the 1st or last time I hear the PRO positioned questioned and I understand fully that the PRO position is not a traditional MC position, but although Business Manager is not a traditional position it is used a lot by traditional MCs as a point of contact.
Most clubs today are not traditional and may not expand their knowledge past their local set so for them it’s all good in the hood so to speak. These clubs will do what they see being done and take it as the way things are supposed to be, so when an alternative view does come up they will fight you tooth and nail because this is how things have been done around them and this is how we will continue to do it. If you think about it, that does sounds kind of familiar because this is how some traditional clubs feel as well. So now you have two conflicting views.
So let me get back to the PRO position. The position is in my bylaws and it’s how my club chooses to operate. I could leave it at that but what fun would that be?(!).
The PRO position in a MC has been around for at least a decade so it’s far from new or a fad. Whoever /whatever brought the position over into the MC world saw a value for it and those that followed suit saw a value for it as well or it would have been dropped. True everyone should represent their club but designating a funnel/filter for info in and out of the club is very efficient. If we are all out and all get the same flyer why should there be X number of conversations about the same thing? All this info could be gathered by one person and presented at a meeting. True indeed the secretary could do it, but that would be one more thing added to their plate. Most PRO’s that I have meet were voted or appointed to that position because they were on the set hard, representing and networking for their club and they were doing the job before they had the title.
Just some of some my thoughts and on another note I’m glad The Sucka MC Free staff did break down all of the other positions and their duties and for the mere fact that you have mentioned a PRO one day it may be in that list as well with Responsibilities & Intangibles. I have no problem with traditionalists not accepting or recognizing the position because it’s not traditional, but most traditional clubs are not in my circle and when I am around them I already know how they feel so there’s no reason to bring it up. Would you feel better if the PRO was called the Assistant Secretary? In your duty listing I didn't really see where the positions overlap. The secretary pretty much takes care of stuff internal to the club, records, minutes, notes, etc where as the PRO deals with things on more of an external nature, social media, contact list, other clubs events, etc.
Some will always be resistant to change just because it’s different and at this point I don't see a down side to the PRO position. It’s a definite to each their own type of thing and unless I'm talking to another PRO or someone asks for the PRO of the club, I don't use my title in introductions. I'm not arguing that a secretary can’t take on the workload of a PRO but why should they if there is an option for someone to be dedicated at the task?
THE SUCKA MC FREE blog opens up a dialogue into things we deal with in the MC community and whether you love or hate their opinions , it does bikers/riders in our community insight into another point of view. There are some thing that do make sense or at least are note worthy enough to take into consideration or add to my knowledgebase. I may not agree with everything that’s always said but, I can see sometimes where they’re coming from and can agree to disagree with him and still be cool.
So be safe out there and oh yeah, Stay Sucka MC Free, y’all.
The Sucka MC Free Staff would like to thank Dave and his club Triple XXX Riders for reading our weekly blog but also being moved enough to contribute their voice to the discussion. We encourage riders/bikers who want to do a guest spot to email us so we can share the guidelines for submission so the blog continues to be an exchange of ideas and thoughts. Dave, you just earned yourself a free Sucka MC Free tee shirt…size extra medium of course.
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